Consider longevity – if your property is commercial, you might want to go for concrete because it outlasts timber. Construction time & cost – wooden sleepers must be treated against rot and will need regular maintenance.
Railway Sleeper Planters
You might want to put a layer of concrete, sand or aggregate in first, but this isn't always strictly necessary. Continue around in the same way until you've got the bottom layer in place. At this point, it's worth using a spirit level to make sure all your railway sleepers are lying flat.
Weight: Concrete sleepers are very heavy, which makes them difficult to transport and install. This can add to the cost of construction. Maintenance: Concrete sleepers require regular maintenance. They need to be inspected for cracks and breaks, and they need to be replaced more often than composite sleepers.
If you plan on placing your railway sleeper onto a solid surface such as a patio or concrete, they can be put directly on top, but if you're going to place them on soil, they need to be slightly sunken into the ground.
It is known that concrete sleepers installed in various places around Australia some decades ago are apparently still performing satisfactorily, so the general assumption that such sleepers should last 50 years or more has received at least anecdotal support.
Applying a high-quality sealant to your concrete sleeper wall significantly enhances its protection against weathering and environmental elements.
With the characteristic of water resistant, sun resistant and corrosion resistant, concrete sleeper has a longer service life than wooden sleeper. Better withstand fire hazards. Concrete sleeper can withstand fire hazards better than wooden sleeper. Good insulation.
If you have well-draining soil, a layer of gravel or crushed stone can be an excellent option. Garden design with sleepers and gravel offers various benefits. Gravel allows for proper drainage, preventing water from pooling and potentially causing damage to the sleeper structure.
Maximum retained heights for 100mm width concrete sleepers range from 2.5m high and all the way up to 6m high (5Kpa Surcharge, please see engineering documents for accurate info).
There are many ways to cut sleepers, but we recommend using a circular saw for accuracy, precision and speed.
The gravel acts as a drainage layer, allowing water to flow away from the sleepers and into the ground below. It acts as a natural conduit, guiding the water away from the vulnerable wooden sleepers. This prevents moisture build-up and helps to keep the sleepers dry and structurally sound.
Hence, wide wooden or concrete sleepers are kept below the railway tracks so that there is less pressure of the train on the ground by increasing the area of contact and that the railway line may not sink into the ground. Q.
Timber sleepers are generally more affordable upfront, making them a cost-effective solution for DIY enthusiasts and smaller projects. However, when considering the long-term costs associated with maintenance and replacement, concrete sleepers may prove to be the better option for many retaining wall projects.
When placed in the ground, sleepers are in constant contact with soil, which holds moisture. Without proper protection, this dampness can lead to the wood rotting, especially in areas with heavy rainfall. The UK's unpredictable weather doesn't help either!
Fill around the sleeper with soil or sand to secure it in place before moving onto laying the next one. To fix railway sleepers to the ground, use spikes or screws designed for outdoor use to ensure they remain stable over time.
All of our concrete sleepers use two N12 Reo Bars (short for reinforcing bar) to enhance their strength, durability and resistance to cracking. These bars, with a 12 millimeter diameter, provide increased tensile strength to the sleepers, improving its ability to withstand bending and tension forces.
For stability, the depth of a concrete sleeper post should be at least 1/3 the height of the wall you are constructing, plus you will need to allow an additional 100 mm for gravel drainage. For example, for a 2 m high wall, the posts should be embedded 700 mm deep, plus the gravel base.
As a rule, hardwood oak sleepers tend to last the longest naturally with an expected lifespan of around 100 years. An untreated softwood will last for between three and five years if it sits on the ground, whilst treated softwoods can last between 20 and 30 years if they are maintained correctly.
The use of gravel or sand to secure sleepers is a popular alternative to concrete. Whether you're using sleepers to form new edging around your landscape or are building a raised planting bed, gravel and sand foundations are certainly worth considering.
Yes, you can lay railway sleepers directly on soil - but it's not always the best choice. For light garden features like paths or decorative borders, direct laying can work well if you prepare the ground properly. But for anything structural or permanent, you'll want proper foundations.
Railway sleepers can be laid on soil, but it's important to prepare the ground properly before installation. First, remove any debris and level the soil to create a flat surface. You're best removing any grass or weeds then adding a base layer of gravel or sand to help with drainage.
This commitment to quality gives you the peace of mind that our sleepers are the only ones you'll ever need for your project. which means that our sleepers are designed for a 50-year product lifespan. Industry leading concrete strength of 60 MPa.
Unlike timber sleepers, concrete blocks won't rot or warp over time and are incredibly strong. Concrete blocks are also very versatile, great for DIY as they are easier to handle, quick to install and come in a range of sizes, colours and finishes.